AUGUSTA -- A state committee recently
encouraged Maine veterinarians to inform pet owners of the recommended
interval for administering vaccines.
Senate Chair Sen. John Nutting and House
Chair Rep. John Piotti wrote to the Maine Veterinary Medical
Association President Matt Townsend earlier this month, asking
veterinarians to provide pet owners with that information. The
association consists of Maine veterinarians and volunteers and
represents over 90 percent of veterinarians in Maine.
The June 3 letter came after the state's
Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry voted Wiscasset
Rep. Peter Rines' proposed legislation requiring veterinarians to
provide vaccine disclosure forms ought not to pass.
The Maine Veterinary Medical Association
opposed Rines' LD 429, a bill that would require a veterinarian to
provide a vaccine disclosure form to the owner of a cat or dog before
vaccinating those animals. The proposal came after Kris Christine, of
Alna, said she inadvertently learned her veterinarian administered a
vaccination her pet did not need.
The vaccine disclosure is aimed at
releasing information regarding proven or demonstrated durations of
immunity as well as advantages and disadvantages of vaccines.
"We strongly encourage Maine
veterinarians to inform pet owners of the recommended interval for
administering a vaccine and potential risks associated with that
vaccine," Nutting and Piotti wrote. "We realize that immunology is
not a static field and the science is complex. We do not propose to
dictate the detail of information provided. We do, however, want to
emphasize the importance of information being available at
veterinarian's offices."
Nutting and Piotti requested the Maine
Veterinary Medical Association apprise the Committee on Agriculture,
Conservation and Forestry of any materials or guidelines developed by
the association in regard to the committee's request.
"We would like to know the extent to
which these guidelines or materials are being incorporated in your
members' veterinary practices," Nutting and Piotti wrote.
In an interview June 14, Townsend said
that the Maine Veterinary Medical Association is not opposed to the
committee's request. Townsend added that the veterinary association
is currently in the process of including information about vaccines on
the association's website. Different opinions on vaccinations and
protocols are planned to be posted, he said.
"We have never been opposed to the
legislature saying we'd like for you to offer some type of pamphlet,"
Townsend said. "But we have questions about what pamphlets we should
use."
The committee does not make any
recommendation in the June 3 letter.
"I don't think a pamphlet is the one
answer or the best answer," Townsend said. "It is a step that can be
quite helpful for a lot of clinics. The whole concept we are in favor
of."
Although pleased with the committee's
request, Christine remains skeptical. "I personally don't believe a
majority of veterinarians will provide disclosure," Christine said.
"I think it will be necessary for the committee to introduce the bill
in December."
If veterinarians refuse to disclose
vaccine information, Christine recommended pet owners contact their
representatives.
"Pet owners are entitled to full
disclosure," Christine said. "They deserve to know how long these
vaccines have been proven for immunity."
For all dogs who were bred to work
